Urban Planner: February 11, 2013

Graydon James and Laura Spink begin their February residency at the Cameron House tonight. Photo by Connie Tsang.

BOOKS: Do you have your morning free today (or any weekday this week)? Do you love books? Well, it’s not too late to send a quick RSVP and head down to CBC’s Canada Reads debates. The 2013 edition features panelists Jay Baruchel, Charlotte Grey, Ron MacLean, Trent McClellan, and Carol Huynh arguing for their favourite new books. A novel will be cut every day, until the winning author’s work is determined on Friday. CBC (205 Wellington Street West), 10–11 a.m., free with RSVP.

LECTURE: You may not know what Damien Hirst looks like, but you know his work. The controversial modern artist, who became the world’s richest after a blockbuster sale of his work at Christie’s in 2008, is the topic of a lecture by the University of Toronto’s Elizabeth Legge, entitled “The Best and Worst of Damien Hirst.” The initial block of seats filled quickly, but as of press time there were still some spots left in an added block. Bloor & Gladstone Library (1101 Bloor Street West), 7 p.m., FREE with RSVP.

MUSIC: There are a number of interesting concerts tonight—

British rockers The Maccabees enter their 10th year as a band on a high note, having headlined at the Reading and Leeds Festival in 2012, and received a Mercury Prize nomination for their album Given to the Wild. The Mod Club (722 College Street), 7 p.m., $20.

Kishi Bashi has frequently been compared to Canadian performer and composer Owen Pallett. Both have made names for themselves collaborating with other acts as violinists (in Bashi’s case, with Of Montreal and Regina Spector); and both have also excelled at composing dreamy songs for their singing and fiddling talents, looped. The Great Hall (1087 Queen Street West), 8 p.m., $13.50.

Urban Planner is Torontoist‘s guide to what’s on in Toronto, published every weekday morning, and in a weekend edition Friday afternoons. If you have an event you’d like considered, email all of its details—as well as images, if you’ve got any—to events@torontoist.com.